Introduction

This article presents an extension of the .NET ComboBox which provides custom drop-downs. The control can automatically add a resizer grip at the bottom of a drop-down.

Design

Custom drop-down functionality can be achieved using the .NET ToolStripDropDown and ToolStripControlHost classes. These two classes are great because they prevent application forms from becoming inactive during drop-down. The custom popup functionality required by this control has been encapsulated within the class PopupControl (a new addition since the original article posting).

In addition to facilitating this control, the PopupControl class can be used to provide drop-down support in your own controls. The PopupControl also integrates the drop-down resize support (now without the need for a nested resizable container, see below for details).

Previously the drop-down control was resizable by nesting a resizable container. This was an okay solution (because it worked) but it caused some redraw errors during resize operations. The resize functionality has now been significantly improved, and it is now also possible to define which sides of the drop-down are resizable (if any). Resizing can now also be done by dragging the resizable edges of the drop-down. The new resize functionality is achieved by intercepting Win32 hit testing messages, and responding appropriately based upon the set PopupResizeMode property.

The following UML class diagram provides an overview of the presented classes:

Using the Code

As with most controls, this control can be created dynamically at runtime, or by using the Visual C# IDE designer's drag and drop features. During runtime, the property DropDownControl must be assigned to an instance of another control. The assigned control must not be contained elsewhere as this will cause problems.

Points of Interest

When writing the code, I found that dropped-down controls were not retrieving immediate input focus. This problem occurs because even though the drop-down code is ignored during the Win32 message handler, the standard win32 drop-down still appears (1x1 pixels). To avoid this, a timer is created which forces the dropped-down control to be focused after the default win32 drop-down has been focused. Once the timer has done its job, it disables itself.

History

22nd April, 2008: Original version posted

29th April, 2008: Updated download files

Fixed a bug that was pointed out by Adam Hearn

17th June, 2008: Various changes

Improved design

Odd drawing effects during drop-down resize have now been significantly improved

Added PopupControl for general custom drop-down support

Added download files: Version 2

28th June, 2008: Updated download files for Version 2

15th July, 2008: Updated to version 2.1.

Many thanks to member “Leon v Wyk” for this update

The improved version now hides incompatible properties from the Visual Studio .IDE properties panel which was causing confusion

21st June, 2009: Updated to version 2.2

Updated source, demo project and UML overview diagram

Fixed bug found by CodeProject member “dokmanov”
Whilst the “DropDownClosed” event was being fired when the drop down arrow was used to close the drop down, it was not being fired when the drop down was closed by clicking in the form area

License

This article, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The MIT License

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About the Author

I have been fascinated by software and video games since a young age when I was given my first computer, a Dragon 32. Since then I have experimented with numerous methods of development ranging from point-and-click type packages to C++. I soon realized that software development was what I wanted to do.

Having invested a lot of time into programming with various languages and technologies I now find it quite easy to pickup new ideas and methodologies. I relish learning new ideas and concepts.

Throughout my life I have dabbled in game and engine development. I was awarded a first for the degree "BEng Games and Entertainment Systems Software Engineering" at the University of Greenwich. It was good to finally experience video games from a more professional perspective.

Due to various family difficulties I was unable to immediately pursue any sort of software development career. This didn't stop me from dabbling though!

Since then I formed a company to focus upon client projects. Up until now the company has primarily dealt with website design and development. I have since decided that it would be fun to go back to my roots and develop games and tools that other developers can use for their games.

We have recently released our first game on iPhone/iPad called "Munchy Bunny!" (see: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/munchy-bunny!/id516575993?mt=8). We hope to expand the game and release to additional platforms.